Apparatus and method for measuring optical characteristics of an object

United States Patent [w]

Jung et al.

US006118521A [ii] Patent Number: 6,118,521 [45] Date of Patent: *Sep. 12,2000

[54] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR

MEASURING OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF AN OBJECT

[75] Inventors: Wayne D. Jung; Russell W Jung, both of Morton Grove; Alan R. Loudermilk,

Chicago, all of 111.

[73] Assignee: LJ Laboratories, L.L.C., Chicago, 111.

[ * ] Notice: This patent issued on a continued prosecution application filed under 37 CFR 1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C. 154(a)(2).

[21] Appl. No.: 09/113,033 [22] Filed: Jul. 9, 1998

Related U.S. Application Data

[62] Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/091,208, filed as application No. PCT/US97/00126, Jan. 2, 1997, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/581,851, Jan. 2, 1996, Pat. No. 5,745,229, and a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/091,170, filed as application No. PCT/ US97/00129, Jan. 2,1997, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/582,054, Jan. 2, 1996, Pat. No. 5,759, 030, and a continuation-in-part of application No. PCT/ US98/13764, Jun. 30, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/886,223, Jul. 1, 1997, Pat. No. 5,926, 262, and a continuation-in-part of application No. PCT/ US98/13765, Jun. 30, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/886,564, Jul. 1, 1997, Pat. No. 5,880, 826, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/886,566, Jul. 1, 1997, Pat. No. 5,966,205.

[51] Int. CI.7 G01C 3/51; G01N 21/64;

G01N 21/47

[52] U.S. CI 356/73; 250/227.14; 250/227.16;

356/416; 356/417; 356/419

[58] Field of Search 356/73, 446, 402,

356/416, 417, 419; 250/227.14, 227.16

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed. Measured data also may be stored and/or organized as part of a patient data base. Such methods and implements may be desirably utilized for purposes of detecting and preventing counterfeiting or the like.

71 Claims, 59 Drawing Sheets

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